Askew recalls 'awkward' race against Adams at memorial

TALLAHASSEE -- Former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew recalled his up-and-down relationship with Tom Adams at a memorial service Tuesday for the man who helped him get elected and then tried to unseat him.

Adams, who was 89, was May 22 when he lost control of his sport utility vehicle on Interstate 10 in Suwanee County. It hit a metal sign and then flipped over.

Askew led the service in the Senate Chamber of the Florida Capitol attended by family and friends. Many were loyal members of "Adams' Army" after getting their start in government and politics by working for him when he was secretary of state and then lieutenant governor.

"I would describe our relationship over the years as friends, colleagues, partners, opponents and friends again," Askew said. "He was one of the more interesting and colorful political figures in the modern history of Florida."

Adams' popularity helped Askew win the governorship as his running mate in 1970. They parted ways four years later.

"Tom always wanted to run for governor himself and finally did -- in 1974 when I was running for re-election," Askew said. "It was awkward for a sitting governor and lieutenant governor to seek the same office while being seated in the same office."

Askew defeated Adams in the Democratic primary and then was re-elected. The campaign never got personal and afterward they renewed their friendship, Askew said.

Mallory Horne, the only person in modern history to serve as speaker of the Florida House and president of the Florida Senate, called Adams "the most popular politician in Florida -- hands down" during the 1960s and early 1970s.

Adams first made his mark on Florida government as a state senator in 1957-59. He was part of the "Porkchop Gang" of rural, conservative Democrats who then controlled the Legislature.

"It was my pleasure to be known as the crown prince of the porkchoppers," Adams recalled at the Senate's annual reunion in April. A videotape of his comments was shown to end the memorial service.